Steelhead fishing for the first time in upstate NY was truly exciting.  I did land my first steelhead and this is definitely the largest freshwaster fish landed so far.  We fished the DSR section of the Salmon River in early November and the weather consisted of snow/rain/sleet/mist/more snow/more sleet with a balmy 34 degrees and water temp of 44 degrees.  My husband spent a day and half with Patric Ross, Anglers Lodge.  Patrick uses 12ft, 2-handed rods with nothing but streamers.  I had no idea there were so many different ways to play a streamer in slow water, fast water, dead drift and swings.  

  

 Landing this fish was an experience and I witnessed fisherman running down the bank of the river trying to land steelhead who were foul-hooked and couldn't be turned up river.  I did loose a fish that was easily twice as large earlier in the day and broke it off when I only had 3 strands of backing left on my reel.  Hopefully I will get the chance to do more steelhead fishing next year.